I’m an unabashed green beauty addict, and have a collection of products to prove it. But no matter how many fabulous bottles and jars are strewn across my bathroom counter, there is one product I always have on hand: organic jojoba oil.
I find that this little bottle, which costs about $15, is often exactly what my skin needs to look its best.
Jojoba oil has a variety of uses—as you’ll see below—and is one of the most frequently recommended natural skincare products here on The Beauty Proof.
Similar to Skin’s Natural Oils
Jojoba oil closely resembles human sebum (the oil naturally produced by skin), making it effective for a wide range of skin types and conditions. Dry or oily, young or mature, jojoba helps bring balance to skin.
And as long as you don’t over-apply it, jojoba oil won’t make skin look greasy.
Who can use Jojoba Oil?
Jojoba oil has the unique ability to benefit a wide range of skin types and conditions. Here’s who can benefit from jojoba oil:
- People with acne-prone skin. Seriously. If you’ve reached the point where your skin is looking worse from the harsh anti-acne treatments you’ve been subjecting it to, consider trying jojoba oil. Jojoba oil is especially helpful if you’re dealing with the dreaded combination of pimples and dry patches. I’ve found it also speeds the healing of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.
- People interested in combating the visible signs of aging. Jojoba oil improves the look and health of skin, especially in regards to fine lines and texture. Check out “Gorgeous Skin at 85” further down this page if you find it hard to believe a simple product could have such profound effects on the beauty of mature skin.
- People with extremely sensitive or reactive skin. Many moisturizers contain potential irritants and allergens ranging from synthetic fragrances to natural essential oils. As I pointed out above, jojoba oil closely resembles human sebum, and it works for many people who have trouble finding non-irritating skincare. Jojoba oil is also my most recommended moisturizer for those in the midst of an inflammatory or autoimmune crisis.
- People struggling with eczema or psoriasis. Although a topical product won’t solve the underlying health issues which lead to eczema and psoriasis, jojoba oil is a favorite among people looking for relief from these conditions. Jojoba oil works well to treat the dry, scaly skin typical of eczema, and is a favorite of many eczema-prone natural beauties even when they’re not in the middle of a flare-up. And folks with psoriasis report having good results with jojoba, not just as a soothing moisturizer, but also as a scalp treatment. Of course, discuss any potential treatment plan for a medical condition with your doctor…but you already knew that 🙂
- People whose skin can’t handle other plant-based oils. Did you try coconut oil, argan oil, olive oil, or sweet almond oil? And did your skin hate you for it? Have no fear. Even if you’ve tried the whole natural-oil-for-skincare thing and it didn’t work out, your skin may react very differently to jojoba. Jojoba oil is different. Technically, it isn’t even an oil, but a liquid wax.
- Anyone with dry skin or rough patches. As I said above, jojoba oil closely resembles skin’s natural sebum, making it an ideal replenishment oil. Flaky skin is especially helped by jojoba oil. And as a body oil, I find it less messy than comparable oils, such as coconut.
- People with oily skin. Sounds counterintuitive, right? Scientists aren’t exactly sure why jojoba oil helps oily skin, but the general consensus is that because it so closely resembles skin’s natural oil, applying jojoba signals to the skin that a healthy oil balance has been reached, and the skin can now stop producing excess oil. All it takes is a couple of drops rubbed between the palms and patted on the face to begin the journey back to balance.
- Those with over-treated or over-exfoliated skin. Have you recently gone overboard with your skincare, and is your skin now raw, red and in desperate need of help? Let the pendulum swing back to soothing simplicity, with jojoba.
- People struggling with hair loss. A study done by the University of Maryland showed that jojoba oil produced a significant increase in hair growth in patients with alopecia.
Of course, everyone’s skin is different, and what is one person’s skin savior may be another’s irritant. But in the wide world of natural skincare products, jojoba oil may take the cake as the most universally tolerated. For many women whose skin can’t handle most of the skincare products they try, jojoba oil is a safe, non-irritating option.
The Many Ways to Use Jojoba Oil
Jojoba oil is a remarkably versatile product for face, hair, and body. Here are some of my favorite uses for it:
- Facial moisturization – Use as little as 3 drops for daytime, to prevent a shiny look. Use up to 7 or 8 drops as a nighttime treatment. Or add a couple of drops of jojoba to your regular moisturizer when your skin needs extra moisturization.
- Body Oil – Jojoba tends to be less messy than other plant-based oils, which is reason enough to love it.
- Hair – There are several ways to experiment with jojoba for soft, healthy hair. It’s equally beneficial for straight, fine hair and kinky, coarse hair… although the amount used will vary based on hair texture. Try applying it as a conditioning treatment for 10 minutes before shampooing out, or add a few drops into the shampoo itself as you wash your hair. Or add jojoba sparingly to damp ends and frizzy bits for smoothed, protected strands.
- Makeup removal and oil cleansing – Eye makeup doesn’t stand a chance, plus you don’t have to worry about harsh chemicals irritating your eyes or drying out the skin.
- Shaving – Use as a shave oil and aftershave moisturizer.
- To dilute essential oils – ‘Nuff said.
- To improve and increase hair growth – More about that here.
- As a lip conditioner – One drop on lips first thing in the morning and again before bedtime is surprisingly effective at diminishing flakes and plumping pesky vertical lines.
Into the Ingredient List
I use Desert Essence Jojoba Oil. There’s only one ingredient in this bottle: USDA-certified organic jojoba oil, AKA simmondsia chinensis.
| Extremely Safe | Reasonably Safe | Proceed with Caution | Insufficient Data |
The Desert Essence Organic Jojoba Oil is cold-pressed, unrefined, and harvested in fields that use drip irrigation.
Another benefit to jojoba oil is that it’s extremely stable. Other comparable plant-based oils are often fragile and prone to rancidity, which can have a negative effect on skin without you even realizing it. But not jojoba.
Remarkable Skincare Products Containing Jojoba
Jojoba isn’t only great on its own…it’s also a star ingredient in beloved natural skincare products, including:
- Purifying Oil from Gressa
- Active Moisture Vitamin C Serum from One Love Organics
- Rose Body Butter by the Organic Bath Co.
- Everyday Coverage Tinted Sunscreen SPF25 from Meow Meow Tweet
Gorgeous Skin at 85
If you’re not yet convinced of jojoba’s rightful place on the vanity of every 30+ woman, consider the late, great Raine Countess Spencer. At 85 years old, she was the director of Harrods International and Harrods Estates. She had access to every overpriced and cutting-edge beauty product the luxury world had to offer…. but she attributed her remarkable skin to jojoba oil.
“It is absolutely brilliant for the face,” she shared with The Gentlewoman magazine. “I put it on three times a day. I don’t say it gets rid of all the wrinkles, but it helps.”
Where to Buy It
Desert Essence’s Organic Jojoba Oil is usually $15 for a 4oz bottle, but you can find it at Pharmaca for under $12.
Highly Recommended
This product is part of my popular guide to natural skin care, 97 Remarkable Natural Skincare Products.
*This post is not sponsored. All opinions are my own.
